Nestled in the heart of Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province in China, the Wuhan Chinese Strange Stone Museum (武汉中华奇石馆) stands as a testament to the beauty and diversity of the Earth’s geological wonders. Spanning an impressive 6,700 square meters, with a building area of 7,800 square meters, the museum is a treasure trove of rare and captivating stones, showcasing over 30,000 specimens, with more than 3,000 pieces on display year-round. The museum is divided into eight exhibition halls, each dedicated to a unique category of strange stones, creating a harmonious blend of natural artistry.
The museum’s collection encompasses a wide array of domestic and international strange stones, including figurative stones, abstract stones, textured stones, pictorial stones, inscribed stones, extraterrestrial stones, garden stones, ancient biological fossils, mineral crystals, and more. Notable among them is a colossal 11-ton crystal stone, claimed to be the largest in Asia. Rare fossil specimens such as Confucius Birds, large ichthyosaurs, mythical dragons, shovel-tusked elephants, parrot-beaked dinosaurs, and other fossils make the museum a haven for enthusiasts and collectors alike. The sheer quantity, variety, and quality of the collection position the museum as a leader in the field of strange stone curation within China.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Exhibition Zones of Wuhan Chinese Strange Stone Museum
- Attractions near Wuhan Chinese Strange Stone Museum
- Other Museums in Wuhan
Basic Information
Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
Ticket Price | 35 RMB |
Opening Hours | 9.00 – 16.00; Last admission: 15.00 |
Telphone Number | 0086-027-84462676 0086-027-84843750 |
Location and Transportation
The Wuhan Chinese Strange Stone Museum is situated at 61 Cuiwei Road, in the HanYang district of Wuhan City. Located in close proximity to the scenic HanYang Riverbank, the museum offers visitors a convenient and accessible location to explore the captivating world of strange stones. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 547 or 637, get off at Guobo Avenue Bingtang Corner Stop (国博大道冰塘角站), and walk about 400 meters to the north to reach the museum.
Metro: The closest metro station to Wuhan Chinese Strange Stone Museum is Zhongjiacun (钟家村) on line 4 and line 6. After getting out of the station from Exit D, walk about 400 meters to the west to reach the museum.
Exhibition Zones of Wuhan Chinese Strange Stone Museum
Strange Stone Exhibition Zone
Covering an area of over 2,000 square meters, this section of the Wuhan Chinese Strange Stone Museum is renowned as a national scenic stone base. Here, visitors can marvel at unique specimens such as the “Peony Spirit,” a stone associated with the fragrance of peonies, the “Stone Queen” fossil, “Celestial Visitor” meteorites, and the Taiwan Rose Stone. In addition to showcasing premium stone varieties from across China, the exhibition also features a gathering of overseas stones, including Brazilian agate, Burmese petrified wood, and Madagascan peacock ore.
Fossil Exhibition Zone
Spanning more than 3,000 square meters, the Fossil Hall within the museum is a showcase of exquisite ancient biological fossils. The fossil specimens originate from various regions, including Lanzhou in Gansu, Jinzhou in Liaoning, Guanling in Guizhou, and Chuxiong in Yunnan. With over 80 species and 10,000 fossil specimens in the collection, around 5,000 fossil works are displayed. Among them are more than 40 assembled fossil skeletons, over 60 buried fossils, 300 slab fossils, 400 individual fossils, and 100 framed hanging fossils.
Mineral Crystal Exhibition Zone
The Mineral Crystal Exhibition Hall, inaugurated on December 18, 2010, covers an area of 160 square meters. It serves as an integrated venue for popular science education, collection, and display. Here, visitors can marvel at the dazzling beauty of mineral crystals in various forms, colors, and structures, showcasing the incredible diversity of Earth’s geological treasures.
Garden Landscape Area
The architectural style of the Wuhan Chinese Strange Stone Museum exudes a typical Ming and Qing dynasty elegance, combining sophistication and classical charm. While the garden area may not be vast, its meticulous design seamlessly integrates plants, bonsai, and strange stones. The landscape features a rich variety of flora, including Chinese pine, green bamboo, red maple, ginkgo, bougainvillea, jacaranda, white magnolia, Chinese scholar tree, fragrant orange, and white wax tree. The vibrant colors and strategic arrangement create a picturesque scene that changes with the seasons. Complementing the greenery are distinctive strange stones like Lingbi stone, Taihu stone, and Yellow River stone, enhancing the thematic experience of appreciating both the artful garden and the mesmerizing stones.